Seam for woven-wire fabrics



2 1927. Jun. 1 A. w. HARRIS SEAM FOR WOVEN WIRE FABRICS Original Filed Dec. 6. 1925 Patented June 21, 1927.

, UNITED STATES P T NT OFFICE A BERT WILLIAM HARRIS, or GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK.

, SEAM Fo wovEn-wIRE FABRICS.

i Application filed December e, 1923, Serial No. 678,961. Renewed February 4, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in seams for woven wire fabrics, such as are used on endlesswoven wire belts used in paper-making machines; and the objects of the invention are to provide a firm Joint in which the seam may be as durable as possible without protruding wires and of a character to be satisfactory during the operation of the belt. I

Further objects are to improve and si2n- ')lify the construction of the eam to better adapt it to perform the functionsrequired of it. i

And it consists essentially of the improved construction hereinafter described in detail in the accompanying specificationand drai vings and more particularly pointed out in the claims. 1

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan viewof an embodiment of the invention'drawn to an enlarged scale,

Fig. 2 is a side view showing the ends of the lay wires, and

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a portion of the fabric showing the warp wires.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings:

A indicates the woven wire fabric, and 10 and 11 are the two sections which are to be joined by the seam. The fabric itself comprises a plurality of parallel lay wires 12 and a plurality of longitudinally extending and parallel warp wires 13. The fabric illustrated in the present embodiment is of special and well-known design inasmuch as the warp wires are provided with long knuckles let on one side of the fabric and with short knuckles 15 on the opposite Side of the fabric.

When in operation the fabric runs similar to a belt on apaper machine andvis so placed thereon that the side of the fabric with the long knuckles 14 comes into contact with the parts of the machine known asthe suct on boxes, the other side of the fabric coming into contact with the short knuckles 15 on which the paper is made and never coming into contact with the suction boxes.

, In the present embodiment the ends to be joined of the sections 10 and 11 are cut adjacent to a lay wire, so that there Wlll be a lay wire on the opposite section adjacent, to the opening of the seam. The seamis made by means of a stitching wire 16 which is sewn with stitches having varied lengths, as shown, the short and long stitches alternating. i

The short stitches, as shown, cover'two lay wires on each side of the seam, while the long stitches cover three lay wires on-"each side of the seam. The stitching wire shown as an. example is so arranged that it never passes over a knuckle, but always to one side as indicated. On the side which operates next to the parts of the paper machme known as suction boxes,.the stitching wire is always parallel to the warp wires so that the warp wires protect it from attrition, k

while on the side of the wire on which the paper is made, the stitching wire is. diagonally inclined to the warp wires.

It will be observed that in addition to the knuckles on the warp wires, the lay wires themselves are slightly knuckled as shown in Fig. 3. By the arrangement of the stitching wire, further protection is given to it by the knuckles which prevent attrition of the stitching wire bythe' rolls, suction boxes, and other parts of the paper machine.

It-will be understood that the fabric is under tension during operation of the paper -machine acting in some respects somewhat in the manner of a belt. During operation, therefore, distortion of the lay wires nearthe seam, for example the lay wires marked 12 and 12*,- may tend to cause the seam to pull apart. Away from the seam, the lay wires areheld in proper position by the knuckles of the warp wires. WVhen, however, thesections 10 and 11 are cut adjacent two lay wires, 'for example wires marked 12, weak points are developed at certain points in the fabric. I

Means is provided for giving strength and rigidity so that the lay wires will not be pulled out of place. To this end, in the present embodiment, the ends of the warp wires are soldered to one or more of the lay wires on each side of the seam opening, as

is indicated in Fig. 1 by showing lay wires 12 in double lines and also by showing the ends of warp Wires 13 in double lines. This soldering holds the ends of the warp wires in place and so enables the knuckles of the warp wires to hold the lay wires 12 and 12 in proper position.

Considering, for example, section 10 and warp wires 13*, at the points where they cross lay wire 12, they form the beginning of long knuckles. In cut i g the sections i to form the seam, these knuckles are cut and knuckles 24 at points of intersection with lay wire 12*. .That is, they pass over lay wire 12*, under lay wire 12, and over lay wire 12. Soldering of the ends of these warp wires 12", at the points 23, holds the ends of the warp wires in position and so prevents the knuckles 24 from getting out. of

place These knuckles 24 in turn hold the lay wire 12 in proper position at the points where it intersects with Warp wires .13 and prevent pulling apart of the fabric. Soldering at the points 25, 26 holds lay wires 12 and 12 in place at their points of intersee tion with the warp wires 13 and 1311:

In a similar way soldering the endsofthe warp wires of section 11 holds lay wires 12" and 12 in their correct positions. 7

In the embodiment shown the warp wires are soldered only to'the lay Wires immediately adjacent the seam opening but they may, if desired, be soldered to additional lay wires. f i i 9- It will be seen that the stitch disclosed for the stitching Wire isa' 2 to 3, that is the stitches alternate in length, the first drawing back two'lay wires, and the second,

three lay wires, and repeating. This is one combination. Other possible combinations would be: 2 to 2 and repeat; 2, 2 to 3 and repeat; 2, 3 to 3 and repeat; and 3 to 3 and repeat; etc.

As shown in the drawings one complete sewing stitch is made to every two warp wires, but this proportion could be changed, if desired. 1

As many changes couldbe made in the above construction and many widely different embodiments of my invention within the scope of the claims, constructed without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

WVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a woven wire'fabric, adjacent weave sections each comprising warp wires and lay wires, the warp wires being formed with long knuckles on one side of the fabric and shortknuckles on the other side of the fabric,

said sections having a seam opening between them, and a stitch ng wire passed over a plurality of lay wires on each side of the seam openingand arranged in stitches of different lengths parallel to thewarp wires on the side of the fabric on which the warp wires long knuckles on one side of the fabric and 1 short knuckles on the other side of the fabric, said sections having an open seam between them, a stitching wire passed over a plurality of lay wires on each side of the seam Opening and arranged in stitches of different lengths on the side of the fabric on i which the warp wires are formed with long knuckles, said stitches being suitably bent and diagonally inclined on the side of the fabric on which the warp'wires are formed with short knuckles. Y

3. In a woven wire fabric, adjacent weave sections each comprising warp wires and lay wires, the warp wires being formed with long knuckles on one side of the fabric andshort knuckles on the other side of the fabric, said sections having an open seam between them, a stitching wire passed over a plurality of lay wires on each side of the seam opening in suitable stitches parallel to the warp wires on the long knuckle side and diagonally inclined on the short knuckle side, the ends of the warp Wires being soldered to the lay wires on each side of the seam opening. p

4. In a woven wire fabric,'adjacent weave sections each comprising warp wires and lay wires, the warp wires being formed with long knuckles on one side of the fabric and short knuckles on the other side of the fabric, said sections having an open seam between them, a stitchingwire passing over a. plurality of lay wires on each side of the seam opening insuitable stitches parallel to the warp wires on the long knuckle side and diagonally inclined on the short knuckle side, and means for rigidly securing the warp wires to the lay wires on eachside of the seam opening In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' ALBERT WILLIAM HARRIS. 

